Winners Of The Ivors With Amazon Music 2026 Announced

Returning to the stage to receive their second award of the night, Jacob Alon was named this year's Rising Star Award winner, recognizing the emergence of one of the UK's most distinctive new songwriting voices. Known for deeply intimate lyricism and a folk-inspired sound, Alon's music has resonated with audiences for its honesty and vulnerability. The judges praised their songwriting as "deeply human, emotionally immersive and entirely authentic," praising the emotional weight and quiet intimacy that runs through their work.

Sam Fender was awarded the Songwriter of the Year with Amazon Music. He has become one of the defining voices in modern British music and storytelling through albums includingPeople Watching and Seventeen Going Under. Known for his sharp social commentary and emotionally honest songwriting, Fender has built a reputation as one of the UK's most important contemporary songwriters. Legendary songwriter and cultural icon Elton John presented the award to Sam.

In a very special moment at this year's Ivors, Elton John was presented with an Ivors Academy Honor in recognition of his outstanding work championing songwriters, composers, and creativity across the music industry. Ordinarily presented at The Ivors Academy Honors, this year on October 1, the honor also recognized his long-standing commitment and advocacy for creative rights and artistic freedom, including his recent conversations around AI and the protection of human creativity and championing emerging talent.

The Ivors Academy also announced that he would become its first-ever President, a newly created role that will see Elton John represent The Ivors Academy's global community of songwriters and composers, championing the value of music creation and advocating for the rights and recognition of music creators worldwide. The position is reserved for individuals who have reached the pinnacle of their songwriting or composing profession, and are committed to giving back by supporting the community and advancing the Academy's mission to protect the future of music.

As the awards drew to a close, music icon Thom Yorke received one of songwriting's highest honors - Fellowship of the Ivors Academy. Regarded as one of the defining songwriters of his generation, Yorke is known for pushing the boundaries of alternative music through his work with Radiohead and across his solo career. From landmark records including OK Computer and Kid Ato his more experimental electronic and film score work, Yorke's songwriting has continually reshaped modern music through its emotional depth, innovation and cultural impact.

Alongside the awards, the audience were treated to stunning, stripped back performances from Thom Yorke who closed the show alongside Jacob Alon who performed "Don't Fall Asleep" and Skye Newman who performed "Careless Whisper" in tribute to Academy Fellow George Michael and her debut single "Hairdresser."

Roberto Neri , CEO of The Ivors Academy, said: "Congratulations to all our Ivor Novello Award winners. On a special night, it was a privilege to celebrate such an extraordinary range of music with the most prestigious recognition in music. The Ivors Academy exists to protect, empower and celebrate songwriters and composers, and whatever we face, tonight stands as a reminder that the future of music is in remarkable hands."

Tom Gray , Chair of The Ivors Academy, said: "Every nomination and award tonight is an act of attribution. A public, named, witnessed declaration that these astonishing human beings made these noteworthy, gorgeous, brilliant songs. That it came from somewhere and belongs to someone. They can be identified, credited, paid and celebrated. My heartfelt congratulations to all our winners."

The 2026 winners join a roll of songwriting and composing greats who have received an Ivor Novello Award over the past seven decades, including Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Adele, RAYE, Stormzy, Cathy Dennis, Bruce Springsteen, Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Dave, Sting and Joan Armatrading.

Following her standout performance at the awards, Amazon Music will release an exclusive Amazon Music Original of Skye Newman's cover of George Michael's "Careless Whisper," paying tribute to the late singer after induction as Fellowship of the Ivors Academy and celebrating one of his most iconic songs.

2026 WINNERS

BEST ALBUM

EURO-COUNTRY

written and performed by CMAT

music published in the UK by BMG Rights Management UK

BEST CONTEMPORARY SONG

I STAND ON THE LINE

written by Fraser T Smith and Kae Tempest

performed by Kae Tempest

music published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music and Domino Publishing Company

BEST SONG MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY

DON'T FALL ASLEEP

written and performed by Jacob Alon

music published in the UK by Concord Music Publishing

PRS FOR MUSIC MOST PERFORMED WORK

MESSY

written and performed by Lola Young

music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing

RISING STAR AWARD

JACOB ALON

BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE

TESTIMONY

composed by Tom Hodge

music published in the UK by Bucks Music Group Limited obo Rocliffe Limited and Underground

Films Commissioning Limited

BEST TELEVISION SOUNDTRACK

TRESPASSES

composed by David Holmes and Brian Irvine

music published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing and Sony Music Publishing obo All3Media

ACADEMY FELLOWSHIP

GEORGE MICHAEL

THOM YORKE

OUTSTANDING SONG COLLECTION

LILY ALLEN

PRS FOR MUSIC ICON AWARD

CALVIN HARRIS

INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

ROSALÍA

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR with AMAZON MUSIC

SAM FENDER

SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL AWARD with AMAZON MUSIC

LINDA PERRY

VISIONARY AWARD with AMAZON MUSIC

KANO

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About The Ivors with Amazon Music

The Ivors, presented by The Ivors Academy, is one of the most prestigious award ceremonies in music, celebrating exceptional achievements in songwriting and screen composing. Presented to songwriters and composers for their creative achievements since 1956, winners receive a hand-crafted Ivor Novello Award statuette and join a roll call of greats, including McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, David Bowie, Adele, RAYE, Stormzy, Bill Withers, Bruce Springsteen, Brian Wilson, Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Chrissie Hynde, Dave, Sting, Pete Townshend, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland, Joan Armatrading, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, Stephen Sondheim, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Charli xcx, Lana Del Rey, Lola Young, Lou Reed and Elton John.

Judged by songwriters and composers, for songwriters and composers, the awards recognise the highest excellence in craft and creativity.

The Ivors were first presented on 11 March 1956 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London.

For more information, visit www.ivorsacademy.com/theivors

About The Ivors Academy

The Ivors Academy is the leading voice for songwriters and composers. As a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting music writers, we protect their rights, empower them with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive, and celebrate their craft.

Our commitment to excellence is celebrated annually through The Ivors with Amazon Music and The Ivors Composer Awards, recognising the outstanding contributions of songwriters and composers.

The Ivors Academy works to ensure that songwriters and composers are fairly compensated, and fully respected and supported throughout their careers. For more information visit www.ivorsacademy.com .

Dave Bennett and his agency have been appointed as the official photography team for the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards, documenting the event's key moments, winners, and celebrations.

About Amazon Music

About Amazon Music Amazon Music is an immersive audio entertainment service that connects fans, artists, and creators through music, podcasts, and culture. Amazon Music brings fans closer to what they love, with curated and personalised playlists, artist livestreams, artist merch, and Amazon Exclusive podcasts. Prime members get access to over 100 million songs in shuffle mode, All-Access playlists, plus the largest catalogue of top ad-free podcasts, included with their membership. Customers can upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited for full, on-demand access to 100 million songs in HD, a growing catalogue of Ultra HD and Spatial audio, and the world's largest selection of audiobooks from Audible. Anyone can listen to Amazon Music by downloading the free Amazon Music app, or wherever they listen to music including Alexa-enabled devices. Learn more at http://amazon.co.uk/music .

See the songwriters and producers homepage on Amazon Music here .